Watchdog will help air your views on health shake-up

* Pat Billingham.

The health service watchdog for North Wales says it is determined to help as many people as possible make their views known about the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board’s proposals for changes in services.

And that includes people in Llangollen with opposing views over the closure of the Cottage Hospital and its replacement with a new health centre, possibly on the site of the derelict River Lodge.

The Community Health Council has pledged to use its network of contacts, and its statutory powers, to make sure local people know what is proposed for their services, say what they think, and affect the health board’s final decisions.

Pat Billingham, the CHC’s chief officer, said: “Our work began several weeks ago when we pressed the health board to make sure that its consultation document was easy to read and understand, and that it offered people many and different ways of making their views known.

“Now we are ready to hear from people who would prefer to speak to us, as an independent organisation, about the effect of the proposals for them – wherever they live.

“We are using our network of contacts to help us get in touch with as many people as possible.

“We will also provide information about the proposals to anyone who contacts us.”

She added: “Towards the end of the consultation period, we will make a formal response to the board’s proposals, based on what people have told us about the effect they will have.

“We will say whether we believe that the proposed changes are in the interests of local people and the health service.

“The board has to consider what we have to say and reply. If we are not satisfied with what they say we can lodge a formal objection with the Minister of Health.”

CHC chair Christine Evans, said: “The CHC’s powers are set out in legislation and Welsh Government guidance.

“We can - indeed, must - object to proposals for change if we think that the consultation process has been inadequate or if we believe that the risks raised by the changes outweigh the benefits and are not in the interests of people who use services. We will check on the consultation every step of the way.” 

To contact the CHC:

Denbighshire/Flintshire/Wrexham Locality Office:

Cartrefle, Cefn Road, Wrexham, LL13 9NH
Telephone: 01978 356178
Fax: 01978 346870
Email: admin@bcchc.org.uk

 

 

Barrie's stunning marina picture

Local photographer Barrie Potter has come up with this stunning picture of Llan canal marina by night, which we are delighted to share with out readers.
If there are any other keen photographers out there who feel like sharing their pictures with us we would love to see them.
Just send them in to us at llanblogger@gmail.com

Pam provides a high degree of inspiration

She battles brain tumour to gain history 2:1

* Pam Williams-Hughes will graduate with a 2:1 in history from Glyndwr University.

A LLANGOLLEN woman has won her battle against a brain tumour and severe dyslexia to gain a university degree at the age of 69.

Pam Williams-Hughes will proudly collect a 2:1 BA Honours in History at the Glyndwr University graduation ceremony in October.

And she says her achievement marks the fulfilment of a lifelong dream to hold a university degree.

Pam, who is originally from Birmingham and moved to Llangollen last February after spending her working life first in the Royal Air Force and then with local authorities, was diagnosed with a brain tumour before she started as a mature student on a fine art degree course at Glyndwr in Wrexham in 2007.

She said: “I did the degree because I wanted something bigger in my life than the tumour.”

But a brain scan in September 2008 revealed the devastating news that the tumour on her pituitary gland had tripled in size in just three months.

Pam had to undergo a life-saving operation at a neurological hospital in Liverpool, which saw the tumour successfully removed.

Despite being given the welcome news the growth had not been malignant, her sight was affected.

Although this did not seem too critical to her, doctors told her it was severe enough to mean she could not wear goggles or a face mask which are often necessary on the art course she was on.

She said: “This meant I wasn’t able to continue with fine art but I was allowed by the university and Denbighshire County Council to transfer to a history degree  course and I was told the research work I had already done for fine art, privately and at the Glyndwr, would be acceptable on that.

“I therefore moved over to history and I am delighted to say I will graduate with a 2:1 in October.

“At the graduation ceremony I will also be presented with an award for being an outstanding student in humanities, so I am looking forward very much to that.”

She added: “I’ve had to work really hard and have achieved this despite the brain tumour and having severe dyslexia but it is the realisation of a dream I have had since I was a child to have a university degree.

“Throughout I have received excellent support from everyone at the university, especially Dr Kathryn Ellis, the head of history, and Peter Bolton, one of the main tutors, who have both been fantastic.

“Hopefully, what I have been able to do will inspire other people to see what they are capable of.”

The dissertation which helped Pam land her degree was an exploration of the case of Abraham Thomas, a young man from Henllan, near Denbigh, who was hanged in Manchester for the murder of his employer’s housekeeper in 1883.

Pam said: “There were grave doubts whether he actually did pull the trigger so I suggest in my dissertation there was a miscarriage of justice.

“I now plan to take a year off from my studies to write a book based on my dissertation before returning to Glyndwr in September next year to work with Kathryn Ellis and Peter Bolton towards an MA qualification and then a PHD in 19^th century Welsh crime and the social conditions linked to it.”

Pam will refer the case of Abraham Thomas when she delivers a lecture on miscarriages of justice for members of  the English Methodist Church's This and That group at Llangollen Memorial Hall next January.  

 

    

Walkers ready to step out in style

The Corwen Walking Festival will take place this weekend – September 1 and 2.

 

Walks to suit all levels of fitness will be on offer, from routes around Corwen itself finding out about the history of the town to a high level ridge walk along the Berwyn reaching over 800 metres in height.

Organisers are offering 12 guided walks on both days and you have the choice of doing a full two-day walk and, with some of the shorter walks, you could do one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Also arranged throughout the day are skills lectures, an evening lecture and Cotswold Outdoor the outdoor retailer will be having an on-site shop.

Due to sponsorship from both Cadwyn Clywd (the Rural Development Agency), Denbighshire County Council and the Corwen and District Business Association, the whole of the 2012 Corwen Walking Festival will be free of charge.

The event has been organised by the Corwen and District Business Association with support from Cadwyn Clwyd; Denbighshire County Council; Corwen Community Council; Ifor Williams; Yr Hen Felin Cynwyd Activity and Mountain Centre.

Bookings can be made by filling in a booking form which can be downloaded by clicking on the link http://www.corwenwalkingfestival.co.uk/booking.html

 

All booking forms should be sent back to: Gŵyl Gerdded Corwen Walking Festival,  C/O Egryn, Penybryn, Corwen, Denbighshire, LL21 0BD.

For further information  0797 006 4191 or, e-mail info@gwylgerddedcorwenwalkingfestival.co.uk

 

 

Locos heading home for major steam gala

TWO of Llangollen Railway’s own fleet of locomotives will be back home in time to take part in a major steam gala there this weekend.

They have been away for the summer helping out at other heritage railways over the border in England.    

The Great Western Pannier tank engine No. 6430 is due to return from the South Devon Railway at Totnes where it has been providing cover during a locomotive shortage.  

The return of this popular engine will allow Llangollen Railway to offer the running of the Auto-coach train, which will provide for a shuttle service on to the track extension west of Carrog during the gala event, which runs from Friday-Sunday. 

The British Railways Standard Tank engine No. 80072 is returning from a spell of duty on the North Yorkshire Moors Railways at Pickering where it has been earning its keep by making a major contribution to the motive power on that line. 

These locomotives will join the operation fleet with No. 7822 Foxcote Manor, Great Western Heavy Freight engine No. 3802 and the LMS Black Five No. 44806, which have provided the basic steam service at Llangollen during this summer. 

With five engines in steam over the forthcoming weekend a frequent service of trains will operate in the Dee Valley to demonstrate steam power at its best and show how the railway operates at maximum capacity with a near half-hourly service.  

Those who stand on Berwyn station during the weekend they will see a train passing at 10-minute intervals during the peak of the days as the services work in and out of Llangollen - a spectacle that was unimaginable in Great Western or British Railway days on the former Ruabon to Barmouth line when a two-hourly interval service was more likely.  

Details of timetable are on the Llangollen Railway website. 

George Jones for Llangollen Railway said: "Having our engines on hire by other railways not only helps them to provide the essential element of a heritage railway, but also allows the engines to earn their keep and contribute towards their future maintenance costs. 

“Right now the operational fleet of engines at Llangollen exceeds our daily needs and the surplus capacity can be used elsewhere.  

“As an example of this the British Railways Standard tank engine will not be staying long after the gala event as it is booked for hire to the Chinnor & Princess Risborough Railway in Oxforshire during the autumn and winter period." 

A third engine will be returning to Llangollen this week when the Austerity Saddle tank No. 68030 comes in from a spell at the Ecclesbourne Railway in Derbyshire but this won't be operating at the weekend as it is due a heavy overhaul and is expected to be taken apart quite soon to renew it for further service.

All this provides work for the Railway's engineering department and allows for continued employment of the skilled workforce at Llangollen.

 

* Llangollen Station will be the scene of a major steam gala this weekend.

Forthcoming diary dates ...

Here we bring you details of a number of local events over the next week or so:

·        Going Batty, a guided bat walk, will be held in the grounds of Plas Newydd, from 7-9pm on Friday, August 31. You can learn about their silent world and listen in on their nightly rituals. For more details, ring Ros of the AONB team on 01978 869618.

·        A charity dog show called Dog Dayz, in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care, will be held at Plas Newydd from 10am on Sunday, September 2. Entry is £1 and there will be pedigree and novelty dog classes, a dog agility demonstration and pets therapy. Greenfields Greyhound Rescue will be represented and there will be various trade stands.

·        Friends of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will be holding a coffee morning from 10am-noon on Tuesday, September 4, at Llan Memorial Hall. Entrance is 50p and there will be a raffle, prizes and various stalls. All are welcome.

 

Welsh paralympians wished good luck

The Welsh Government has wished Welsh athletes representing ParalympicsGB the best of luck as the London 2012 Paralympic Games begin.

 

The opening ceremony marks the official start of the 14th Paralympic Games.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "Wales can be immensely proud that a record 38 Welsh athletes have made it into the ParalympicsGB squad and I am sure all of the country will be united behind them as they go for gold.

"Our current generation of Paralympians hold huge potential. They have proved they are have what it takes to make it to the top of their field and will now be competing at the height of their sport in front of the world. I am sure they will do Wales proud and I wish them the best of luck."

Sports Minister Huw Lewis said: "Our Welsh Paralympians have put in years of effort to make the grade for these Games and I have no doubt they will return home with medals.

"The fact we have 38 athletes in the squad, half of them first time Paralympians, shows just how strong disability sport in Wales currently is. It is testament to the clubs, coaches and support staff across the country who continue to promote and grow disability sports that we are building on our amazing track record in producing world class Paralympians

"I am sure everyone in Wales will wish our athletes every success in London."